Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishen may join Congress

Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishen may soon join the increasing number of celebrities who have become poster boys for political parties in the run-up to the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.

The Bigg Boss finalist, who had earlier wished to stay away from politics after claiming to have got similar offers from the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party, now seems to have made up his mind about joining politics.

"I am in talks with the Congress leadership both in Maharashtra and at the Centre. I have put forward some conditions to them and as soon as things materialise in that direction, I will take the final decision," Ravi Kishen said.

The actor, who has featured in several Bhojpuri and Hindi films, has a considerable fan following in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. He is also expected to campaign for the Congress along with its youth icon Rahul Gandhi.

Kishen added that he will meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi soon. According to sources close to Kishen, the actor has demanded a party ticket from Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh, which happens to be his home turf as he hails from Kirkat village of the constituency.

"It will give me an opportunity to work among the people of my region and also benefit the party by strengthening its base," he said. The actor claims that the BSP and the BJP were interested in fielding him in the forthcoming elections.

The BSP had reportedly asked him to contest either from Varanasi or Jaunpur. Kishen had turned down the proposal, saying he had no plan to join politics and would concentrate on his acting career.

His move is also being seen as a counter to Samajwadi Party's decision to field popular Bhojpuri actor Manoj Tiwari from Gorakhpur constituency.

Political parties are on a scouting spree for Bhojpuri actors, as they are supposedly helpful in wooing a large number of voters in eastern Uttar Pradesh, who speak Bhojpuri.